00:00The United Nations has announced the launch of an $852 million humanitarian needs and response plan for Somalia.
00:10The plan is 40% less than last year and aims to support 2.4 million people in Somalia.
00:20Our humanitarian colleagues said this year's plan calls for $852 million United States dollars, which is 40% less than last year.
00:29It aims to support 2.4 million people, which is less than half of the people in need of humanitarian assistance, leaving significant gaps in essential services.
00:38Our humanitarian colleagues stress it is important to note that this reduction in the funding we're appealing for is due to constrained resources, not reduced humanitarian needs.
00:49The launch comes at an unprecedented time for Somalia, with funding shortfalls squeezing humanitarian programs just as the country faces a severe drought.
00:58Our colleagues warned that without urgent and scaled-up assistance, the combined prolonged drought, livelihood collapse, displacement, disease outbreaks, and reduced humanitarian aid will worsen food insecurity, water shortages, and health risks will increase.
01:14Last year, the response plan was only funded at 27%, or $397 million out of the $1.4 billion we requested, forcing humanitarian organizations to sharply reduce and, in some cases, suspend life-saving assistance for human beings.
01:33The plan will mostly target Somaliland, a former British protectorate, that declared independence from Somalia in 1991, following the collapse of the central government.
01:43It comes one month after Israel announced that it recognized Somaliland, a territory within Somalia, as an independent and sovereign nation.
01:51The United Nations further confirmed that there will be significant gaps in essential services in Somalia and Somaliland, as less than half of those in need of humanitarian aid will be able to receive help under the 2026 plan.
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